Our Team
The Kernel Network
Dr. Andrew Stumpf
Founder of The Kernel Network
Dr. Andrew Stumpf is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo, and has a passion for many subjects, having published books on Ancient Philosophy and Business Ethics. He has recently been focusing most of his teaching and research energies on end-of-life ethics. He has developed three courses at St. Jerome’s including PHIL 319J, PHIL 321J and MEDVL 391, and has recently carried out three grant-funded projects in this area.
Midori Matthew
Graduate Research Assistant
Midori Matthew (she/her), PhD (C), MA, BSc, is a graduate research assistant at St. Jerome's University, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Midori is currently a PhD candidate at McMaster University in Health Policy, where she studies the health and economic impacts of direct remuneration policies designed for family caregivers. Midori has published research papers on topics of palliative medical educational programs and physicians' moral distinctions between end-of-life medical procedures.
Erin McKenzie
Graduate Research Assistant
Erin McKenzie, BSc, MSW (expected 2025), is a research assistant at St. Jerome’s University, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Erin has published research on topics of symptom management in palliative oncology and autonomy and meaningfulness in persons with dementia.
Avery Beavers
Post-Undergraduate Research Assistant
Avery Beavers, BSc, is a research assistant at St. Jerome’s University, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Avery has published papers on qualitative mental health research and autonomy in persons with dementia. Additionally, Avery also assists with content development and website design.
Jane Kuepfer
Primary Research Interviewer
Jane Kuepfer is a specialist in Spirituality and Aging, a joint appointment by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging and Conrad Grebel University College. She researches, teaches, and provides public education in the field of spirituality and aging. Currently, Jane is apart of the ‘Personal Autonomy in Dementia’ study and is responsible for conducting and analyzing interviews with study participants.
Alexandra Andratis
Graduate Research Assistant
Alexandra Andratis is a research assistant at St.Jerome’s University, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Currently Alexandra is in her 1st year of her PhD program in Systems Design and Engineering, where her research focuses on how older adults can use technology to support storytelling.
Priyanshi Desai
Post-Undergraduate Research Assistant
Priyanshi Desai is a recent graduate of the Honours Science program at the University of Waterloo. Priyanshi is also a research assistant at St. Jerome’s University, affiliated with the University of Waterloo.
Saghana Rajakrishna
Social Media & Communications Coordinator
Saghana Rajakrishna is a recent graduate of the Honours Health Sciences program at the University of Waterloo. Saghana is the social media and communications coordinator at The Kernel Network.
Previous Members
Kendra Woollings
Content Developer (2020 - 2024)
Kendra was a recent graduate from Conestoga’s BAM program. She specializes in content creation and social media marketing to help develop and maintain the Kernel Network’s idealism.
Jae Doncillo
Social Media Consultant (2020 - 2022)
Jae was the Kernel Network's Social Media Consultant and Content Creator, assisting with articulating the project's goals and maximizing it's digital visibility.
Sophia Richardson
Website Designer & Knowledge Mobilizer (2020 - 2022)
Sophia was a recent graduate from Knowledge Integration at the University of Waterloo. She specializes in using design to mobilize the communication of academic research.
Alisha Dey
Graduate Research Assistant
Alisha was a graduate research assistant at the Kernel Network. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Information with a concentration in Human-Centered Data Science.
Our Community Partners
St. Jerome’s University
Federated with the University of Waterloo, St. Jerome's University is a public Roman Catholic university devoted to cultivating the unique talents of each students, nurturing their ability to think critically, and inspiring them to become life-long learners who seek knowledge and truth, act with compassion, and advocate for human dignity for all. SJU is the home institution of Kernel Network founder Prof. Andrew Stumpf, and supports several research and other projects associated with the Kernel Network.
Hospice Of Waterloo Region
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging the community of Waterloo Region in order to inspire, nurture and comfort the human spirit in life, death and bereavement.
HWR is involved in multiple research projects and student opportunities in connection with the Kernel Network.
Spirituality & Aging Program
Spirituality and Aging’s two-fold purpose is to promote research in the field of spirituality and aging to enhance the well-being of older adults, and to be a resource to students, clergy, chaplains, caregivers, professionals, and the general public, through university classes, public lectures, and workshops.
GreenHouse
GreenHouse is a community for innovators who want to create social and environmental change.